LOUISVILLE, KY – Trainer Steve Asmussen had plenty to celebrate on Saturday, including his pupil Mia Mischief continuing her Churchill Downs dominance when she captured the $120,000 Roxelana Overnight Stakes.
Breaking from the far outside in the field of five at 9/5 odds under Ricardo Santana, Jr., Mia Mischief pressured early leader Covfefe through fractions of :21.38 and :44.41. In the stretch run, Mia Mischief dug deep and put away Covfefe late to win the 6-furlong sprint over the fast main track by 3/4 of a length in a final time of 1:09.76.
“She is such a nice filly and we beat a very nice filly in Covfefe today,” said Santana, Jr. “Going around the turn, (Covfefe) kicked clear a little bit and got me a little worried. Mia is such class and just kept digging in for more.”
After watching the pace battle unfold from the rear, Awestruck was able to get up in the final jumps and knock off Covfefe for second. Covfefe, made the 2/5 favorite after her record-breaking performance in the Miss Preakness Stakes (G3), was the field’s lone 3-year-old and held third by just a 1/2-length over Honey Bunny. Completing the order of finish was Classy Act.
Annathela, Ascot Day, Astrollinthepark, Salt Bae, and Upset Brewing were all scratched.
Mia Mischief’s win was her second straight over the Louisville main track, having taken the Humana Distaff Stakes (G1) here on May 4. The 4-year-old daughter of Into Mischief now sports a record of 15-7-6-0 (including a 7-4-2-0 local mark) with $957,540 earned.
“It was very special to get this filly back to the winner’s circle and get ready for bigger races down the road,” said Asmussen, who earlier on the card became just the third trainer in the track’s history to win 700 races there. “It’s been incredible to have this opportunity to become only the third trainer in Churchill Downs history to have 700 wins. We’ve been blessed with many great horses to get us there. It’s amazing to be closing in on such a milestone as the all-time leading trainer at Churchill Downs.”
Mia Mischief returned $5.60 to win, $3.20 to place, and $2.10 to show. Awestruck brought back $6.40 to place and $3.80 to show, while Covfefe paid $2.10 to show.
